About

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"It's weird to write about getting a new suit as life-altering, but I don't feel like that's overstating how awesome the suit looked and felt when it was done." - Jamie B.

The idea for Sweetlime is simple: to never judge people for whatever it is that makes them feel good about themselves when they leave the house…through clothing alterations for the individual, not the standard.

Sweetlime Alterations stands for finding, embracing and celebrating individualism through how a garment fits and feels on the body. We strive to teach everyday clients that the look that they imagine can be made a reality through the fit and feel of a Queer Tailored Outfit, while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment.

"Tailoring how I like it and just for me. Gabi's work is exquisite." - Amanda F.

Living in a Gender-Specific retail world means often being forced to conform to styles and sizes that don't always suit our individual style.

In my 12 years of education and employment in the Fashion industry, I was taught specific standards and guidelines in Fashion Production. Even in the Alterations industry, I was taught that there is a way for 'this' body and there is the way for 'that' body, there was minimum wiggle room for individuality because that's "just the way it is".

But in the year that Sweetlime has been functioning out of my attic apartment and traveling for house calls, I've learned the true lack of comfort people can feel in the search to find clothes that fit their individual shape and style.

Steph and Karen on their wedding day - both regular Sweetlime clients

"Very affordable, very friendly, and most important of all fantastic at alterations! She altered my chiffon bridesmaid dress beautifully!" - Sammy T.

Sweetlime Alterations was inspired by the people around me everyday; from the trans man that settled on the ill-fitting outfit, to the larger sized women that was made to feel that t-shirts and jeans were her only options.

Sweetlime Alterations strives to be a local business that people can feel safe in. Safety meaning the lack of any kind of judgment that could make a person feel lesser than the human they are. Safety that could give clients the ability to be their truest self in a space that that encourages and supports their individuality

So far, work on building Sweetlime has been incredible; what started as a Queer-centered idea grew organically to different types of people that were not feeling comfortable in the the clothes they bought, and even the clothes they had already gotten altered. The thing is, I'm hitting a point where I know I can do so much more for the growing community if I had a little help.

With your help through this Kickstarter Campaign, Sweetlime Alterations would be able to fund industrial sewing and pressing equipment that would allow me to take on more projects and at a faster rate, secure a storefront with adequate space to both work in and sell clothes and items that support local Queer and marginalized artists and businesses, and possibly even hire individuals that are often overlooked for positions, but have the potential to be Queer Tailors themselves.

Jess Lee - Friend, Client, Radical Femme

You can help Sweetlime Alterations become an accessible store front by pledging and receiving your reward or by sharing this project within your own networks.

Thanks for supporting Sweetlime!

For further updates on what Gabi gets up to, follow Sweetlime on Tumblr @ SweetlimeAlterations.tumblr.com

Risks and challenges

Sweetlime Alterations is taking on wide markets [i.e. trans and queer people, people of color, non-standard sizes] that often get overlooked or ignored. But I don't see that as a risk. I see it as a challenge that needs to be taken that I'm happy to embrace. At Sweetlime, we don't see taking on new markets as a challenge, but a necessity that should come naturally.

Once this project is funded and I'm capable of renting a store front and purchasing necessary equipment, maintaining regular clientele and gaining new customers will sustain Sweetlime in all further necessary overhead and expenses.